california, add another 13.8%. is it fair that any american pays more than half of their income into taxes? and that's before sales tax. that's more than paying for the cable tax. just watching this show. is that fair? should we make it a more efficient, accountable government? the spending is the issue, senator. >> may i respond? >> the president proposed a plan that you didn't even vote for. >> may i respond? 97% of american businesses are exempt from any tax increase because of the proposal by the president to protect people making less than $250,000 a year. 98% of all americans are going to be exempt from paying any higher taxes. if and only if speaker boehner will pass the bill that we sent him in july to protect middle income families, you want to protect the people in bakersfield, i want to protect the people in chicago and springfield. >> senator, one point about medicare. you say you want to put off this discussion until later. but bottom line, should the medicare eligibility age go up? should there be mea